House of Commons
Parliament

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Labour's Paul Sweeney asks about the state of diplomatic relations with the US.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson says the friendship between the UK and the US is "extremely close" and he speaks to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo "regularly".

Mr Sweeney asks the Foreign Secretary to express "genuine outrage" that immigrant children were separated from their families.

Mr Johnson says that the President repealed this policy shortly after Theresa May denounced the policy, he stands by the words made by her on the matter.

House of Commons
Parliament

A steady day in the Commons today - starting with questions to the Foreign Office ministers, including Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

Mr Johnson missed last night's vote on the Heathrow expansion proposals, so there could be some comments from Labour and SNP MPs about that...

It'll be starting shortly.

Select Committee
Parliament

Sadiq Khan says that "any big decision" the government takes should have metro mayors "around the table".

The chair thanks the Mayor of London and tells him the committee will consider how they can help Mr Khan and his colleagues. Sir Bernard Jenkin ends the session.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Sadiq Khan says London has needs in terms of housing, health and infrastructure, adding there are areas of "huge deprivation".

The Mayor says that there are more journeys in London that the rest of the UK combined. He tells the committee he traveled by tube to the session and that transport is "full up". He says there is a need to "plan for the growth" in London.

Mr Khan calls for work to start on Crossrail Two, from south-west to north-east London. He adds that the government says 70,000 homes a year are needed in the capital.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Sadiq Khan tells the committee that air quality is a "concern" after Brexit. He says there is an "opportunity" to have a new clean air act with a UK watchdog that has the tools to use against the private sector.

Mr Khan says when the UK leaves the EU, the country can have the "best environmental safeguards in the world"

Labour MP Kelvin Hopkins asks if London should have control over air capacity.

The Mayor of London accuses the government of not "listening" over Heathrow. He adds that there is a need for increased air capacity in south-east England but tells the government to be "careful" when imposing the answer to a national solution on London.

He says that Heathrow's third runway will lead to delays, air quality getting worse and problems with noise pollution.

Select Committee
Parliament

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SNP MP Ronnie Cowan asks if the mayor has the devolved powers to represent London's people in the same way as the other devolved institution.

Sadiq Khan replies "no" and adds he does not have powers over fiscal matters, infrastructure and the NHS.

The mayor says that when London does well the "country benefits", but it does not have a seat around the Brexit table. Mr Khan adds that he does meet regularly the government.

Mr Cowan asks if there are powers held by the EU that should be devolved after Brexit.

The mayor says that funding from the EU should continue to come to London.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Conservative MP David Morris asks what further powers should be devolved to London.

The Mayor of London answers that he would like powers over council tax, business rates and stamp duty. Mr Khan says it is about "credibility" around spending.

Sadiq Khan says there is a "frustration" concerning transport in England.

And the mayor tells the committee he needs to powers to "scale up" skills, post-Brexit. He says it is the mayors of cities who know the employers; adding that there is a need for primary legislation from government.

Select Committee
Parliament

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Chair of the committee, Sir Bernard Jenkin, asks if the same respect is being given to London as other devolved institutions.

Sadiq Khan replies that there is a "democratic deficit" in England. The Major of London tells the committee that devolution has not gone as "far" as he would like.

Mr Khan says that it is the "gift" of government to give resources and compares London's ability to spend 7% of taxes raised there with New York (50%) and Toyko (70%).

The Major says there is a "frustration" in London, where the population is nine million and just shy of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales combined.

He looks "envy" at other cities with more powers outside the UK, he says.

Select Committee
Parliament

The committee session is starting now. On the committee are:

• Sir Bernard Jenkin (Chair) – Conservative
• Ronnie Cowan – Scottish National Party
• Paul Flynn – Labour
• Marcus Fysh – Conservative
• Dame Cheryl Gillan – Conservative
• Kelvin Hopkins – Independent
• Dr Rupa Huq – Labour
• David Jones – Conservative
• Sandy Martin - Labour
• David Morris – Conservative
• Tulip Siddiq - Labour

You can find out more about the committee and its work here., external

Select Committee
Parliament

You can watch the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee session with the Mayor of London here, and also by using the video screen at the top of the page.

The session is being shown live on BBC Parliament.

Select Committee
Parliament

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The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee is taking evidence this morning from Sadiq Khan about the future of devolution to London after Brexit.

The session will look at what changes are needed in order for London and other regions of England to be effectively represented in the UK constitutional arrangements.

The Mayor of London has previously warned that a hard Brexit could lead to “a lost decade of lower growth”. Mr Khan said a no-deal outcome, in which the UK left both the EU customs union and single market, could cost the country half a million jobs and £50bn in lost investment by 2030.

Sadiq Khan recently announced that he will be seeking a second term as Mayor in 2020.

We're starting our day in Westminster with a committee session - the Public Administration and Contitutional Affairs Committee is questioning the London Mayor Sadiq Khan on devolution and leaving the EU.

It'll start shortly...

They were concerned about a lack of detail in the plans which the UK government says will boost Scottish flights.

House of Commons
Parliament

The Commons voted to approve the government's National Policy Statement, which would see an expansion of Heathrow including a third runway.

The result of the vote was 415 in favour, 119 against - a majority of 296.

The issue has divided MPs from different parties in the House, with former education secretary Justine Greening joining Caroline Lucas in the no lobbies, and some Labour MPs voting with the government to approve it.

The official SNP position was to abstain from the vote.

The government today also announced that it would not be supporting the proposed Swansea Bay tidal lagoon project.

Energy Secretary Greg Clark announced that the price would be too high for the amount of electricity produced. He said it would be more cost-effective to pay for offshore wind.

The Commons returns at 11:30am tomorrow with Foreign Office questions.

House of Commons
Parliament

The Commons has voted to move forward with Heathrow third runway plans.

Ayes: 415

Noes: 119

Majority: 296

MPs are voting on a government motion to approve a third runway at Heathrow Airport at an estimated cost of £14bn.

Conservative MPs have been ordered to back a third runway, the SNP will abstain and Labour MPs have been given a free vote.

Conservative Greg Hands tells MPs he quit as a minister because he had made "an unequivocal pledge" to vote against Heathrow expansion.

House of Commons
Parliament

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Transport Minister Jesse Norman says that MPs have had extensive and wide debate on this topic.

He criticises the lack of clarity from the Labour front bench, who he says are giving a free vote but recommending abstention.

"The fact remains that a new runway at Heathrow is the best strategic solution to this critical issue," he says.

If MPs abstain then it is to give up economic growth, he states. He provides assurances that the government will work on improving rail connections to the airport.

He says the government has responded to each of Labour's four tests on the runway.

With that, the Commons divides to vote on the progressing the third runway at Heathrow.